Get To Know: Sienna Spiro

The SZA-approved singer Sienna Spiro is a breath of fresh air breaking into London’s jazz and pop realm in her own way.

You may know Sienna from her breathtaking covers on TikTok that distract you from scrolling and pull you in to listen to the 18-year-old’s newest releases that hear her soulful raspy tone. What is for sure is the talent Sienna Spiro has possessed from songwriting since ten years old. Beyond her years in her capabilities within sound, composition and performing, the singer debuts two new singles this year, ‘NEED ME’ and as of today, ‘MAYBE’. Sienna tells us, “It’s a super intimate project. These songs are for people to get to know me but also to interpret and feel in their own way”. 

In conversation with New Wave Magazine, Sienna opens up about her journey so far into the music industry and learning the process behind creating, finishing and releasing a song. Something that is quite clearly natural for the artist. From pre-teens into adulthood, Sienna’s well versed background of sounds has evolved her into a multitalented songwriter with no limits to her talent in genre techniques. “It comes really naturally because it’s what I listen to growing up as a kid”.

“It feels weird to have something out. Going from bedroom songwriting to writing with other people but I love the writing process”. 

The single ‘NEED ME’ hailing in over 1.2 million streams, is an experimental ballad drawing from Sienna’s personal experiences in a soulful captivating sound. The minor chords and key changes create a solid foundation as a mature and delicate introduction to the singer’s artistry. Inspirations include jazz musicians such as Etta James and Frank Sinatra but also include a range of Hip hop legends from the early 2000’s who have created a natural influence over her music and fashion styles. 

In the digital age of TikTok, the platform has grown Sienna’s audience into a community she deems feels more like “friends rather than fans” who recognise the singer and relate to her on a personal level. Reinforcing this connection through both singles, the artist utilises each track to draw emotion, frustration and confusion into riffs, runs and a strong vocal range that carries her raspy notes. 

Most recently performing at London’s KoKo Camden venue, Sienna says she is most comfortable when singing at acoustic shows and expresses the value of gaining feedback from her performances. Not to mention the importance of what she is wearing she says, “what I wear matters massively, I cannot sing in a dress”.  It comes naturally for the singer to dress in style, it impacts more than comfortability, combining her love for Hip hop in music with streetwear in her style. 

“I’ve always wanted to do something in fashion as well”.

Sienna’s passion for both arts go hand in hand and no doubt the singer’s unique flair will have an impact on the visual side of her art. Talking about the importance of music videos and the cultural meaning behind some of the greats, she mentions her touch of synesthesia, “every song of mine has some sort of visual or colour”. Immediately there are elements of the young talent that spark excitement in terms of what is to come for future music videos. Referencing Ama Lou and Mette as female artists with engaging directories for visuals in ‘Caught Me Running’ and ‘Mama’s Eyes’, Sienna is undoubtedly on track to join this list. 

The soulful tone and intimate settings from the show can only allude to the idea of a Tiny Desk concert featuring the singer in the future. Her viral covers on TikTok capture solo verses that fill the room with velvety textures and volume, each one racking in thousandths, even millions of views luring in her loyal audience who keep coming back for more. Leaning into the phenomenon of Raye’s ‘21st Century Blues Royal Albert Hall’ album. Sienna expresses her admiration for the Jazz singer-songwriter, “she is one of the most inspiring people, I can’t think of anyone else I am so in awe of”. 

The singles are not coincidently released in such a fitting order, the artist is extremely intentional. “How they are going to come out is kind of in order of the story that they are about. I love that which is which I didn't plan for that to happen. They're all coming out in the way the story that all of these songs are about.” 

With an upcoming show as the headlining support act at All Points East this month, Sienna is keeping busy, dropping debut hits and proving that she is only getting started. 

Listen to the brand new single ‘MAYBE’ here.

https://open.spotify.com/album/39wdDtFBu6cp8kyBhdCwVr?si=G51L3jETRJuVJWAQNIEz6g